Six Nations 2002 - Scotland profiles

BUDGE POUNTNEY

ANDY NICOL
scrum half
The 29-year-old Nicol is testimony to the adage that everything comes to hewho waits. Nicol made his debut backin 1992 for Scotland but ligament operations on both knees plus the littlematter of competition from Gary Armstrong and Bryan Redpath kept him out ofthe team. He took consolation in leading the highly successful Bath teamand lifted the European Cup when they beat Brive in 1998 against all theodds. Then he became the first Scotland captain to get his hands on theCalcutta Cup since 1990 - against all the odds. Pountney gets the nod asskipper this time around but Nicol is also a born leader, good talker and avery good reader of the game and there's a real edge to this greatcompetitor.

SCOTT MURRAY
lock
The 6ft 6in Saracen has become one of the key men in the Scotland teamafter developing into a world class line-out jumper. He obviously got some ofthat spring playing international basketball for Scotland when he was aschoolboy. Caps at Under-16, 18, 19 and 21 level for the Scots but had tobide his time on the Scotland bench 11 times watching Doddie Weir dominatethe line-out but was given his chance in 1997 against Australia and wasnamed Player of the Five Nations in 1998. Tremendous club form this seasonand could easily emerge as one of the stars of the tournament.

STEVE BROTHERSTONE
hooker
Doesn't give an inch and just the man you need in the heat of battle asLawrence Dallaglio found out in the Calcutta Cup victory that deprivedEngland of the Grand Slam two seasons ago. Big for a hooker at 6ft, the29-year-old from Duns toughened up his game at Brive but his internationalcareer was interrupted by a sprained shoulder on Scotland's tour toNew Zealand. Joined Northampton's Scottish exiles at Northampton lastseason and regained his place in the Scotland team.

JAMES MCLAREN
centre
International recognition has come late for the powerful McLaren. He'sScottish born and Aussie raised with a chequered career and a penchant forthe social side of rugby! But since he gave up the booze and fags andlistened to Glasgow conditioning coach Gordon Crawford, he has shown theability to make the No 13 shirt his own with destructive defence plus theability to make inroads on opposition territory. A really tough character inScotland's midfield.

CHRIS PATERSON
wing
One of the exciting young crop of Scottish backs. An intelligent playerwith good awareness. He has a good boot on him too. The 22-year-oldEdinburgh Reiver has fast tracked to the top since he played for Galabefore he was 18 - Scotland Schools, Under 19s, Under 21s and won the firstof his nine senior caps against Spain in the 1999 World Cup. Began at fullback but prefers the wing where he can concentrate on attack.